Weeks until Mountains 2 Beach Marathon: 17
I made it through a month of marathon training! This past week was a struggle, if I’m being honest. I think I woke up Monday morning with a “oh god what have I gotten myself into” feeling when I realized how many months there still are before the race. Pretty much all my workouts were a struggle and I just generally felt like I was lagging. It was basically the complete opposite of the week before. But I already feel better this week and I make sure to keep in mind that it’s all part of the process and bad weeks are bound to happen.
As a sidenote, last night I got an email saying I was chosen to be a PRO Compression Ambassador! I have been wearing PC socks for so long and swear by them, so I figured it was a perfect opportunity. I have no problem repping a brand that I use religiously! I actually haven’t slept without compression socks in over a year – they have this magical ability to relax my whole body and get rid of the calf cramps I used to experience when trying to fall asleep. They also accompanied me on all six months of my European adventure, even though I had very limited luggage space.
Back to the weekly recap:
Monday – 6 Miles with 800m repeats
I could NOT hit the 8:30-8:45 paces I was meant to hit for each 800m. I felt like my legs could handle it, but I just didn’t have the energy. It was a little disappointing, but like I said, I remind myself frequently that marathon training is going to include a lot of ups and downs.
Tuesday – rest
Wednesday – November Project + 3 miles after (5 miles total)
During November Project we did two miles of hill repeats and lots of exercises like burpees, push ups, squat jumps, dips, etc. The hill at the Hollywood Bowl is a beast (no really, it’s actually called The Beast). I was sore the next day for the first time in a long time. The co-creator of November Project, Brogan Graham, and his wife were at this workout, so that was a treat. They are in crazy good shape and it was pretty motivating to be working out near them. I first heard of NP when Brogan was on the cover of Runner’s World a couple years ago (or maybe just a year ago?) and it’s pretty cool that I’m a part of it now. I ran 3 miles after @ 9:25 pace to get in 5 miles for the day.
Brogan is on the very left. Source
Brogan and his wife are the ones kissing in the front row. Aw.
Thursday – 6 miles easy
Man, this one was tough. I was slogging along, and I just couldn’t get any energy in my steps. I’m sure it had a lot to do with how sore I was from NP the day before, but I haven’t had a run this rough in a while. I ended up with an average of 10:18 min/mile pace.
At least the weather was perfect.
Friday – rest
I took an extra rest day this week after feeling like my body really needed it.
Saturday – 8 miles, 4 at up-tempo
This long run was pretty good, better than Thursday’s run at least. I was meant to do the up-tempo miles at 8:45-9:00, and I got really close. The two slower miles in the middle had big hills in them. Splits: 9:35, 9:51, 8:53, 9:06, 8:49, 9:07, 9:44, 10:05. It was also a lot hotter than it has been in a while, so overall I was happy with this run. It’s really good that it’s warming up because the Mountains 2 Beach Marathon will most likely be hot, and my body needs to be used to it.
Pretty day at the reservoir.
After my run, Jeremy and I went downtown to the Arts District, and ended up walking around for a few hours. I wore some flat, slip-on shoes, which was a big mistake. My left knee pain came back full force, and I was limping around. I should have stopped immediately when I felt it hurting, but I stupidly didn’t. I iced it and foam rolled a lot over the weekend and luckily it felt ok Monday morning.
I’m a sucker for street art.
Cool.
Some crazy thing we saw while exploring the Arts District.
I am growing very fond of downtown LA.
Sunday – rest
Jeremy and I went to the Melrose Flea Market that takes place every Sunday and FINALLY got a TV stand. Our apartment is starting to really come together. Then my mom and aunt came into town and we had a nice dinner 🙂 Here’s to week 5 of training!
Lily Runs the World 
Great week of training! Congrats on the ambassadorship!! That’s awesome. I filled out the form but was too chicken to hit submit. 🙂
Thanks! Aw, you should have, I’m sure you would have gotten it! There’s always next year 🙂
Congrats on the ambassadorship, cool stuff!
Thank you!
Congrats on PRO compression! And great week of training!
Thanks Lisa!
I am so proud of you and how dedicated you are (and what amazing shape you must be in :))! What does the ambassadorship mean? Discounts hopefully! Keep up the great work and remember how many people you inspire! Miss you! xo
Thanks Nicole! It’s basically just repping the company and interacting on social media, and possibly working at the booth at race expos and meeting up with other ambassadors. Fun stuff!
Congrats on the ProCompression ambassadorship! Rough training weeks happen, as you know. I think you were smart to take an extra rest day. You might not feel the benefits of it immediately, but I’m sure it’ll help you have a better week this week.
Thanks so much! I think you’re right, I definitely feel better this week.
Congrats on your ambassadorship! I just discovered PRO Compression over the holidays, and I’m not sure why I waited so long to try out their stuff.
Good idea taking an extra rest day. I had to do the same thing; my coach readjusted my plan after some strange, random lower calf pain I experienced on my long run over the weekend.
Thank you! Yikes, no fun on the calf pain. Is it feeling better?
Congrats on the ambassadorship and keeping up with the running! Bad weeks are bound to happen and with all the work you’ve been putting in, you will have some weeks where you’re fatigued. I admire you for pushing through and not letting that get to you though! That’s always been the frustrating part for me too. I hope this week is a better week for you!
Totally, I still have lots of runs and lots of weeks left before the race, I know it will be a lot of ups and downs! Thanks so much 🙂
Congrats on the Procompression I am an addict, wear them all the time.
Me too!
Congrats on the ambassadorship! I have yet to try a pair of ProCompression socks, but this may be the year I take the leap, haha.
All of the sluggish, tired runs are helping you build up mental toughness for those final miles of the marathon! Every run has its purpose even if we’re swearing under our breath during them 😉
Oo, you should. My legs feel so good after wearing them, and they look pretty cool too.
I have such weather envy right now. Why did I move back here from California again!?
Congratulations on the ambassadorship! I LOVE ProCompression!
Move back!!
Marathon training can be so rough! Hang in there though, you are doing great!! Congrats on the Ambassadorship!
Thanks, Jamie! It’s so encouraging to know that I can always come back to blogland and write about every little issue that occurs during training, and so many people will relate.
Congrats on becoming a PC ambassador! Their products are the best! I am anxiously awaiting the black/white striped marathon socks to be delivered to my home. 🙂
Congrats on the ambassadorship! I’m also trying to ice and foam roll my knee pain away.
Love pro compression socks!! As a matter of fact I’m wearing them right now 🙂